Electricity Saving Tips – Electricity Conservation Methods

Arunraj V.S. asked:

Electricity conservation assumes a lot of importance in present times, because electricity is a major influential factor to global warming. The past few years have recorded the warmest surface temperatures ever in global history. Human activity is the biggest factor that has led to global warming. It is now up to individuals and organizations to take collective action to slow down and reverse global warming by using our energy resources cautiously, minimizing fossil fuel usage and conserving electricity.

Conserving electricity is very important because the largest source of carbon-dioxide and other heat-trapping ‘green house’ gases into the atmosphere is electric power generation. Considering the hectic, fast paced life that we lead, we depend on electrical gadgets and equipments to get quick results. Coal and oil constitute more than 80 percent of fuel supply used to generate electricity. Coal combustion leads to the largest amount of CO2 per energy unit of any fossil fuel. So the key is to conserve electricity and reduce electric power usage.

When we restrict electric power use, we not only save money and breathe clean air, but also take concrete steps to reverse global warming. Each kilo-watt hour of electricity saved gets rid of 1.5 to 2 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

In economically challenging times like the present, it is even more important to conserve electricity because of the rising energy costs. It will be beneficial if we as families take the first step in conserving electricity and tackle the problem of climate crisis at the grass-root level. Here are some smart electricity saving tips to conserve electricity

It is a common practice for us to use the remote control to switch off the TV. But this actually keeps the TV on in a stand-by mode where it can consume 6 watts per hour. Even if you turn the TV off and not switch off at the plug point, the TV still consumes 0 .5 to 1 watt power. We should make it a point to switch off cell phone chargers and electrical mosquito repellents from the mains after use, so that they do not consume power. The cell phone charger utilizes 3 watts per hour, when it remains plugged. So once the battery is charged, we should take the charger off the plug point. Mosquito repellents can consume 5 watts per hour. Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners as far as possible. You will also save a lot on electricity bills. Replacing the metal blades of a fan with fiber blades can save twenty percent energy overall. If air conditioning is something that you have to go for, it is better to go for split air-conditioning rather than centralized air-conditioning. Split air-conditioning will only cool specific areas where cooling is needed. Besides this, cleaning the filter of air conditioners leads to quick cooling while at the same time, ensuring efficient use of electricity. It is better to install two 23 watt Compact Fluorescent Lights at opposite sides of the room rather than installing a single 40 watt tube-light. The benefit is you can opt for only one of the CFLs if you do not need bright light all the time. If you are a family of four people, you can go for a refrigerator of 80 liters capacity rather than a 165-liter one. A refrigerator consumes 1.3 to 4 units daily depending on its size, make and model

Install Renewable Sources of Energy to Cut Down Your Electricity Bill

Ashish K Arora asked:

Presently world’s over almost all electricity is being produced by non-renewable sources, except a small fraction of energy, which is produced by renewable sources. These renewable sources of energy provide us continuous electricity and thus help us in cutting down our electricity bills by great extent. Renewable sources of energy include the solar energy and wind energy. Solar energy is available to all of us and we can tap this source of energy for our day-to-day work, however for wind energy we require large area especially coastal area or other wind rich area or region.

Renewable energy has many advantages and the major advantage of it is that it does not pollute our environment. The electricity that is produced from conventional non-renewable sources such as coal or gas cause major damage to our environment. The burning of coal and gas produces many pollutants such as oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur, particulate matters, etc. These are not only responsible for global warming but can deplete ozone layers also. These pollutants can be dangerous for human beings and can cause many diseases.

So, for a long run renewable sources of energy are the best solution as these are not only cheap, but these are safer for the next generation also. You need to invest one time for installing a solar panel from which you will get continuous energy for years to come. Solar panels are large panel that can be installed on your roof or any other place you would like to install them and after making the necessary arrangement for light connection, you get electricity as and when required. However if your electricity consumption were large, you would definitely cut down your huge electricity bill significantly and at the same time you will contribute in conserving our planet earth.

So, there are many options available to you for cutting down your huge electricity bill and one option is to stop using electricity and cut down electricity bill and conserve environment, however better option is to install a solar system so that you get continuously non-renewable energy at an initial investment of only $200. This option is far better choice for you and you can reduce your electricity bills once and forever.

Eco-Friendly Tips For Hip Moms

F. Caballero asked:

Whether you’re a hippie from the olden times or simply riding the drifting trend of times, you know for sure that Green is in. Smart mommies bag cool bonuses and save money by being environmentally friendly, while training children some significant life lessons about caring for the planet.

Here are some planet-friendly tips to get you started:

Offer Rewards for Recycling – When in doubt, let money talk. Motivate your children to earn their allowances by contributing in various green duties like recycling. And they’ll discover early that being green can be pocket-friendly! Home recycling services are still sluggish in pace in some parts on the country, so better check out what your local community offers. You can also utilize a handy tool at Earth911.com to determine recycling efforts in your neighborhood. If you’re a true-blue penny pincher, you might even get a couple bucks out of your recycling habit. Other recycling centers are willing to provide cold hard cash for turning in clean cans or bottles, so contact your local recycling centers to find out their procedures.

Donate and Buy Second Hand Items - When your family is done with different stuff, such as clothing, toys, furniture, etc., donate them to your choice of organization. Some national organizations like Goodwill.org accept donations and give back job-training opportunities. There might also be a local foundation that could benefit from your slightly used items. Let your kids in on why donating is a good practice, and tell them how people will benefit from their kindness. While there’s a flip side to the secondhand scene, teach your kids early not to be embarrassed of owning secondhand items. In reality, thrift and vintage shops are a cool way to find something unique. Make the most of the fact that loads of retro styles are in vogue right now. And the bonus: Your dollar will go way beyond than at the mall!

Secondhand shopping is great for pieces of furniture, too. Do you really wish to drop $200 on that Pepto-pink dresser your 5-year wants? There are lots of ways to spoil her creative spark without breaking the bank on furniture you probably won’t use for several years. Skip the department store and buy a durable piece of used furniture at your local thrift store or antique shop. Modify the piece with a new paint job or a change of hardware. The time you spend on the project together will bring good ol’ bonding time away from the TV.

Quality is a Top Priority – Going green doesn’t have to mean giving up glamour (thank goodness). A hip, eco-conscious mom knows that quality over quantity is equivalent to treating yourself and your children to high-end, well-crafted items. Instead of getting a lot of cheap or trendy stuff that will have to be changed frequently, opt for the good stuff in classic, sturdy styles. Add spice and personal flair with a few choice items from reasonably priced sources like the abovementioned thrift or consignment stores. When you buy luxe, you might have to spend a bit more upfront, but you’ll notice the savings over time, as you’ll have to purchase less often. It’s also wonderful opportunity to show your children the value of taking good care of their belongings, so that they can be used and loved for many years. But buyers watch out! There’s a thin line between paying for quality and paying for brand names. Utilize online forums like Slickdeals.net to read up on products and learn what other customers think.

Are You Committed to Green Living? – Generating Electricity at Home

Elijiah Rampart asked:

Have you made an all out commitment to green living?

Or, having you been holding out from doing all you can do?

I am sure you have changed your lifestyle in many areas and decided to be environmentally responsible by living green. I think we both can agree that every little bit helps when doing our part to be responsible for our planet.

But are there even more aspects of your life that you can commit to a green lifestyle?

That is the question I had to ask myself.

I needed to take a good hard look at my life and see if I was really doing all I could do. I looked at food recovery (some call this dumpstering), water conservation, and recycling. I think these things are making an impact to improve our planet. But you know what, in the long run they didn’t really have as great as an impact that I wanted.

It wasn’t until I learned that I could make my own electricity at home that I realized I wasn’t really as committed to living green as I once thought. You see, burning fossil fuels to make electrical power is one if the biggest threats to our society right now. These pollutants have put us right at the door step of a global warming disaster that just doesn’t want to go away.

I discovered that there are clean and environmentally friendly ways to make electricity. I looked into solar and wind power, but I learned about a little known secret nobody is talking about.
Here is the secret: magnetic power generation.

Maybe you haven’t heard much about it but there are guides available that show you how you can make your own magnetic power generator at home so you can make your own electricity. These devices produce clean and green electricity with no harmful environmental pollutants. Their carbon foot print is almost zero.

Not only that, but you can now be totally sold out to living green and just about eliminate your carbon foot print. Best of all, by making a magnetic power generator you will be able to save a lot of money every month by reducing or eliminating your monthly power bill.

Making Electricity From Solar Panels

Richard Johnstonn asked:

With the advent of high energy prices one of the things consumers should really be taking a look at is solar power for electricity. It’s a great alternative to fossil fuels and as far as I know the sun is not going to die soon so it’s a complete renewable energy source. The beauty solar panels is they cannot only be used remotely in parts of the world where we cannot lay power lines but after the initial cost of the solar power panel the energy provided will be free.

I think all new homes babbles should now have incorporated into them solar power panels. These can be used to power their water heater, their central heating systems, all their electricall appliances and even the car that they purchased to run on electricity.

There are two types of solar panels: one is am electricity panel and the other is a solar hot water panel. These work by capturing sunlight and producing a small electrical charge which can then redirected straight to generator and from the generator to a holding battery which will keep the current electricity in place and ready to use. The voltage within the battery will be DC this can be inverted using an inverter to change the power from DC to AC and then this power can be used directly by the household.

As technology progresses solar panels will become more powerful and smaller in size. They will also become cheaper to purchase and as this price drops with the technological advancements more and more homes can and will change to solar power as their main means of getting electricity and this for me cannot happen soon enough.

Information About 10kw Wind Turbines

ames Fraksburg asked:

Personal residential utilities offer a great way to save money and conserve the environment. Government tax credits are making it easier to afford options such as 10kw wind turbines for homes and small farms. There are a few points to note before making the investment.

Most residential homes use eight hundred to two thousand kWh of electricity per month. The 10kw turbine is the most popular size in this output capacity and is capable of taking care of electricity needs. With consistent winds above eight miles per hour, this unit can dramatically reduce or eliminate completely energy utility bills.

A common question consumers ask themselves is whether this unit is right for their particular needs and surroundings. This size turbine is ideal for residents who’s home pays more than twelve cents per kilowatt-hour and are within an area that consistently receives annual average winds above eight miles per hour. It should be kept in mind that the tower height and associated sound can be intrusive to neighbors, and the turbulence from nearby structures and trees can effect the efficiency of the unit. For this reason, it’s ideal to have a least one acre of open land on which to install the unit.

For horizontal-axis units, the tower height in this size is eighty to one hundred and twenty foot. Noticeable sound can be heard at a height of seventy feet, next to the tower. Mounting the turbine on building tops is not recommended due to the associated noise, turbulence and vibration that effects both the building and the wind driving the blades.

Regions with hotter average temperatures might find that they require larger blades or turbines than colder areas. Hot air is less dense than colder air, thereby producing less power per unit air mass. This equates to a different power rating for the same turbine. Most turbines begin producing power at eight miles per hour. The optimal output speed between twenty five and thirty mph. The upper limit at which the unit cuts out is generally about forty miles per hour, as a safety precaution.

Each turbine is given a power rating for it’s size considered under certain conditions. This sometimes varies per manufacturer, so it’s a good idea to look for the Annual Energy Output (AEO) when comparing units. This standard has been established by and American wind energy association, and offers a baseline for comparison, similar to the Environmental Protections Agency’s estimated gas mileage given to vehicles.

Installing the system is usually best left to professionals, especially in a residential setting. For capable individuals, installation can be performed using the right tools. The most difficult part tends to be erecting the tower. A pre-constructed tower can be reasonably hoisted into place by hinging one side of the base and raising the top with winch or vehicle. The most economical towers are guyed-latticed towers frequently used for radio antennas. Avoid using aluminum materials. These tend to crack and wear out early. Towers erected near trees or structures should stand at least thirty feet above any obstacles.

Typical home based 10kw wind turbines will usually cost between $28,000 and $35,000, including installation. Payback period for the device is usually in between eight and sixteen years, with consistent use. The turbines are designed to last over thirty years.

What Are the Pros and Cons to Solar Energy

Gavin Dye asked:

Using the power of the sun to power our lifestyles, on paper looks like a natural fit. As with all things in life there are two sides to any argument and Solar Power is no different, so hopefully in this article I will answer what are the pro’s and con’s to using solar energy in today’s world

The Pro’s to using Solar Energy

1. It is a cheaper way to generate energy, than the normal means of energy generation. The suns power is free, and is a natural resource, using it means that you are not burning any fossil fuels that can ruin the earth’s atmosphere. It truly is an environmentally friendly alternative.

2. The suns power is free, most of the cost involved is in the initial investment that is required in setting up the solar powered system.

3. If you do use solar power, you can expect to have no electricity bill, a very small one, or you may actually end up earning money, by supplying your energy back into the electricity system if you live in the right area.

4. No fuel to burn so would be good to the atmosphere. Also if the fuel prices rise and there is a shortage, you will be OK, because you are getting your power from the sun for free.

5. If there was a power outage in your area, you wouldn’t be affected, as you would still be getting your power from your Solar Powered system.

6. It doesn’t matter where you are, you could be in a remote area and you can still use the power of the sun. You will find solar power being used in some very remote locations.

7. It’s a low maintenance system, you don’t have to rewire your house, and if you need more power just add more solar panels.

The Con’s of using Solar Energy

1. The initial cost, they are costly to setup and have installed, but this initial cost is probably the only cost you have to worry about. Depending on where you live you may also be able to get grants from the government to setup your system, and is well worth checking on before starting looking at systems.

2. You need to live in an area where you can rely on sufficient sunlight to power your system. A system in Arizona or Texas is going to work better than one in the Seattle area that may only receive, on average, about three hours of sun a day since it’s a rainy region.

3. You can only get energy during the day, and an overcast day may also cause difficulties, this can be overcome by using a backup battery, that would store energy generated during the day, and supply you with energy during the night.

Getting your energy from the sun, definitely has more advantages than disadvantages, but I think one main sticking point is the initial cost. As solar power technology advances, and becomes more available the prices should come down.